New Skoda Karoq: test drive, review and buying guide

Since its launch in 2017, Skoda has sold more than half a million units of the Skoda Karoq, which is sold in no fewer than 60 countries. The compact SUV has therefore become one of the pillars of the brand, to the point of being the third best-selling model from Skoda in 2021, behind the Octavia and the Kamiq.

Now, Skoda has already put on sale in our market the update of the Karoq, which includes aesthetic changes that modernise its appearance and, more importantly, help improve its aerodynamics. There is also news in the materials and finish of the interior, as well as in the equipment.

What does not change is that the Skoda Karoq remains one of the most recommendable SUVs in its class, thanks to how well it drives, how its interior space is used and the favourable balance between what you pay and what you get. We are going to analyse the novelties this update brings, the prices and which versions are the most recommendable.

Design: what changes in the 2022 Skoda Karoq

As well as redesigning the grille, the side skirts and the bumpers, Skoda has replaced the headlights with much more streamlined units split in two. Here we find one of the main novelties: as standard they use LED technology, and optionally the Matrix FULL-LED can be ordered.

In addition, Skoda announces a improvement of more than 9 percent in the drag coefficient (from 0.32 to 0.20), which has a favourable effect on consumption and emissions. New wheel designs and two new body colours, in orange and grey tones, are also incorporated.

Inside, what you typically get when a car receives these updates: new decorative trim on the dashboard and doors, new upholstery including an option made cwith eco-friendly materials and an improved ambient lighting system. The three-zone climate control and the option of electric adjustment and memory for the passenger seat also make their debut.

Overall, Skoda has managed to give the Karoq’s cabin a higher-quality feel, while keeping one of its main qualities intact: its habitability and the large boot capacity, which can reach 520 litres. In this regard, the VarioFlex seat option is highly recommendable, which includes removable individual rear seats, with the two outer ones adjustable lengthwise and in backrest recline.

Five engines: three petrol options and two diesel

There are no changes to the Karoq’s engine range, which continues to offer three petrol engines and two turbodiesels. Perhaps the only thing missing from this update is that the opportunity was not taken to include in some of the variants a mild hybrid system that would allow it to carry the ECO label.

In petrol, the entry version is the 1.0 TSI three-cylinder with 81 kW (110 CV) and a six-speed gearbox. Following it is the 1.5 TSI four-cylinder with 110 kW (150 CV), equipped with active cylinder management to reduce consumption, for which you can choose the manual gearbox or the DSG dual-clutch. At the top of the petrol range is the 2.0 TSI of 140 kW (190 CV), offered only cwith DSG gearbox and all-wheel drive, and in combination with the sportier Sportline trim.

The turbodiesel versions are based on the 2.0 TDI four-cylinder block, which splits into two variants, with 85 kW (116 CV) or 110 kW (150 CV). In both cases you can choose between manual or DSG gearbox, and the most powerful version with DSG is exclusively linked to 4×4 traction.

For its balance of performance, consumption and smoothness of operation, the best option still seems to me to be the 1.5 TSI, provided you accept that to spend little fuel you will need to drive paying special attention to your right foot. For those who will cover many kilometres a year and for whom consumption is a priority, the 150 CV TDI offers equivalent performance and even more push from low revs, with an unbeatable fuel cost, which does not soar depending on driving style, as the TSI does. That said, its operation is not as smooth.

With equal equipment, the price difference between the TSI and the 150 CV TDI is between 2,500 and 3,000 euros, depending on the trim level, which gives the petrol a clear advantage. As for the entry versions, here it is worth investing the 2,000 euros more that the 2.0 TDI of 115 CV costs compared with the 1.0 TSI of 110 CV, which is by no means an engine to discard, given how well it moves the car.

Equipment and prices of the Skoda Karoq

The Skoda Karoq is available with four trim levels: Active, Ambition, Style and Sportline. The latter, which is only combined with the most powerful petrol and diesel engines, has distinctive exterior elements to enhance its sportier approach.

Current list prices include a discount ranging from 3,650 euros up to 4,530 euros, depending on the version. To these discounts can be added 1,800 euros for financing the purchase, which takes the total discount up to 6,050 euros on the basic versions, and up to 7,150 euros on the top of the range, the 2.0 TSI Sportline with 4×4 traction and DSG gearbox.

In this way, the Karoq starts from 22,150 euros, with all discounts applied, for the 1.0 TSI 110 CV Active, and from 24,200 euros for the 2.0 TDI of 115 CV, which are the only two possibilities combined with the basic trim.

Already with the Ambition trim, the 1.0 TSI of 110 CV costs 23,200 euros, and 2,400 euros more for the 150 CV version, which goes to 25,600 euros. Here we already start enjoying a Karoq with the most recommendable engine in the range, and with very complete equipment. For 2,000 euros more you can request the always appealing DSG dual-clutch gearbox.

Style versions represent a price jump of another 1,000 euros over the Ambition, and to get a Sportline you have to pay 1,400 euros more than for a Style.

Behind the wheel of the new Skoda Karoq

Comfort and ease of driving are the two characteristics that best define the Karoq’s dynamic behaviour, regardless of the engine and transmission combination chosen. Everything works smoothly, the steering has a precise feel and the suspensions work very well even when the road surface is not completely smooth. The adaptive suspension system with variable-damping dampers can be fitted, which still forms part of a package with a very attractive price, although given how well the standard suspension works, I think it is a dispensable option.

Skoda has improved its assistance systems, among which some new ones are included, which make driving even easier and provide more safety. This is the case of Travel Assist, which benefits from an improved version of the traffic sign recognition system. It includes predictive cruise control, the lane departure warning assistant, lane keeping assistance (now capable of recognising roadworks sections) and the traffic jam assistant.

The driver also benefits from complete instrumentation, which from the end of the year will become digital in all versions, with 8 or 10.2 inches depending on the trim. The permanent internet connection (with an integrated eSIM card) not only allows a smartphone to be used to check vehicle data remotely, but also gives access to the Skoda Connect services.

Skoda Karoq image gallery

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverSkoda Karoq15 versions · from 34,900 €